Cabinet electrification system

ABSTRACT

One of more panels of the cabinet include at least one conductive region that is optionally covered by an insulative covering. These conductive regions are coupled to an external power source. Shelves, drawers, other cabinet components, electrical devices in a cabinet (including, but not limited to, a motor, lights, outlet, appliance, sensor, processor, etc.), and the like can further conduct or receive electrical energy by electrically coupling to the conductive regions within the panels of the cabinet, for example, through shelf pins that are inserted into holes in the panels.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This Utility Patent Application is a Divisional of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/921,572 filed on Mar. 14, 2018, now U.S. Pat.No. 10,292,288 issued on May 14, 2019, the benefit of which is claimedunder 35 U.S.C. § 121, and the contents of which is further incorporatedin entirety by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention is directed to a cabinet with panels that can beelectrified, The invention is also directed to cabinets and electricaldevices within the cabinets that can be operated using electrifiedpanels of the cabinet.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, electrical lighting or other electrical devices withincabinets are often provided power through wiring that enters the cabinetthrough holes in the cabinet. This wiring may be exposed or hiddenbeneath or behind a shelf or valence. Other conventional arrangementsplace exposed metal strips along the panels, often at the back, of thecabinet. The wiring and exposed metal strips can detract from theaesthetic of the cabinet interior, may present some hazard, or may beeasily damaged.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1. is a perspective view of one embodiment of a cabinet withshelves, according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of one embodiment of a panel of a cabinetwith a core and a cover, according to the invention;

FIG. 3A is a side view of one embodiment of a frame for a panel of acabinet, the frame includes two conductive regions joined together bytwo non-conductive connectors, according to the invention;

FIG. 3B is a side view of another embodiment of a frame for a panel of acabinet, the frame includes two conductive regions joined together bytwo non-conductive connectors, according to the invention;

FIG. 3C is a side view of a third embodiment of a frame for a panel of acabinet, the frame includes two conductive regions joined together bytwo non-conductive connectors, according to the invention;

FIG. 3D is a rear view of a fourth embodiment of a frame for a panel ofa cabinet, the frame includes two conductive regions joined together bytwo non-conductive connectors, according to the invention;

FIG. 4A is a top view of one embodiment of a shelf of a cabinet, theframe with conductive pins and an electrical device attached to, ordisposed within, the shelf, according to the invention;

FIG. 4B is a top view of another embodiment of a shelf of a cabinet, theframe with conductive pins and a port and an outlet attached to, ordisposed within, the shelf, according to the invention;

FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a hanger for acabinet and a corresponding wall mount for use with the cabinets,panels, and frames of FIGS. 1-3D, according to the invention;

FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a hanger fora cabinet and a corresponding wall mount for use with the cabinets,panels, and frames of FIGS. 1-3D, according to the invention;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a panel of acabinet with a core having a conductive layer, according to theinvention; and

FIG. 7 is side view of one embodiment of a layer of a core with multipleconductive regions, according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Various embodiments now will be described more fully hereinafter withreference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, andwhich show, by way of illustration, specific embodiments by which theinvention may be practiced. The embodiments may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theembodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided sothat this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fullyconvey the scope of the embodiments to those skilled in the art. Amongother things, the various embodiments may be methods, articles, systems,devices, or any combination thereof. The following detailed descriptionis, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense.

Briefly stated, various embodiments are directed to methods, articles ofmanufacture, and systems for electrification of cabinets. One of morepanels of the cabinet include at least one conductive region that isoptionally covered by an insulative covering. These conductive regionsare coupled to an external power source. Shelves, drawers, other cabinetcomponents, electrical devices in a cabinet (including, but not limitedto, a motor, lights, outlet, appliance, sensor, processor, etc.), andthe like can further conduct or receive electrical energy byelectrically coupling to the conductive regions within the panels of thecabinet, for example, through shelf pins that are inserted into holes inthe panels.

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a cabinet 100 that includes a door102, two side panels 104, 106, a bottom panel 108, a top panel 110, aback panel 112, and one or more shelves 114. The illustrated cabinet 100is a standalone cabinet, but it will be understood that other cabinetscan be part of a set of cabinets in any configuration and that cabinetsin such a set may share side panels 104, 106, top panel 110, or bottompanel 108, or any combination thereof. In addition, it will beunderstood that other cabinets may not include all of the components ofcabinet 100. For example, other cabinets may not include a door 102, aback panel 112, a top panel 110, or a bottom panel, or any combinationthereof. It will also be understood that panels described herein canalso be used for drawers, shelving, or other storage containers.

The side panels 104, 106, bottom panel 108, top panel 110, and backpanel 112 are typically attached to each other using any suitablefastener or fastening arrangement including, but not limited to, the useof joints, nails, screws, adhesive, or the like.

FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of a panel 220 that can be used forany of the side panels 104, 106, the bottom panel 108, the top panel110, or the back panel 112. The panel include a core 222 and a cover224. In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 224 is disposed on onlytwo major surfaces 225 a, 225 b of the core 222, but it will beunderstood that the cover 224 may also be disposed over one or more (orall) of the side surfaces 226 a, 226 b, 226 c, 226 d of the core. insome arrangements, the cover 224 may be provided over only one majorsurface, provided over less than the full extent of one or more majorsurfaces or side surfaces of the core, or may even be omittedaltogether.

The core 222 can be a solid material that fills the entire middle regionof the panel 220. Alternatively, the core 222 can be a frame (see, forexample, FIGS. 3A-3C) that forms the side surfaces of the core 222 withhas an open region in the center of the panel 220 and may optionally,have one or more struts or supports extending through that open regionand between portions of the frame.

The cover 224 can be any suitable material including, but not limitedto, wood, plastic, glass, laminate, wood composites, or the like. Thecover 224 may be provided to protect the core, for aesthetic appearance,or any combination thereof or any other suitable reason.

The panels of a cabinet can be made of all the same type of constructionor can differ in construction. For example, some panels of a cabinet mayutilize a frame construction and some panels may utilize a solid coreconstruction.

Cabinet electrification can be achieved by electrifying the core of oneor more panels of the cabinet. FIGS. 3A and 3B illustrate twoembodiments of a frame 330 for use in the core of a panel. The frame 330has at least two conductive regions 332, 334 that are separated bynon-conductive (e.g., insulative) connectors 336, 338. The twoconductive regions 332, 334 may be made of any suitable conductivematerial including, but not limited to, aluminum, steel, stainlesssteel, or any other suitable metal or alloy. Aluminum may beparticularly suitable due to, for example, its light weight andresistance to destructive oxidation. In at least some embodiments, theframe 330 may be made of solid metal pieces, hollow metal tubing, or anycombination thereof or any other shaped, cast, molded, or otherarrangement of conductive elements. As an example, the frame 330 may bemade of hollow aluminum tubing.

The non-conductive connectors 336, 338 can be made of any suitablenon-conductive material including, but not limited to, plastic (forexample, thermoplastics or thermoset polymers), glass, ceramics, or thelike, or any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the frame 330 mayalso include one or more conductive connectors 340 which can be made ofany suitable conductive material including, but not limited to, metalsand alloys.

In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 3A and 3B, one conductive region332 corresponds to one side of the frame 330 and defines one edge of theframe and the other conductive region 334 corresponds to the other threesides of the frame 330 and defines three edges of the frame. It will beunderstood that other arrangements of the two conductive regions 332,334 (for example, each conductive region along two sides of the frameand defining two edges of the frame) can be used. Moreover, otherembodiments may include more than two conductive regions with eachconductive region separated from the other conductive regions bynon-conductive connectors. As indicated above, a cover can be placedover one or more (or all) of the surfaces of the frame 330, asillustrated in FIG. 2.

In at least some embodiments, in operation, one conductive region (forexample, region 332) is positively charged (or has a positive voltageapplied) and the other conductive region (for example, region 334) isgrounded. Such an arrangement will be used as an example herein, butother electrification arrangements can be used and it will be understoodthat any of the examples described herein can be adapted to use any ofthe other electrification arrangements. For example, one conductiveregion may be negatively charged (or has a negative voltage applied) andthe other conductive region may be grounded. As another example, oneconductive region may be positively charged (or has a positive voltageapplied) and the other conductive region may be negatively charged (orhas a negative voltage applied).

As an example, conductive region 332, which is at the front of the frame330, is positively charged (or has a positive voltage applied) and theother conductive region 334 is grounded. in at least some embodiments,it is preferable that every electrified frame in a cabinet or in a setof cabinets has the same arrangement, for example, with the front of theframe positively charge and the other parts of the frame grounded. Thisprovides consistency between the panels or cabinets and may also preventor reduce the likelihood of shorts when panels or cabinets are attachedto each other.

The frames 330 can be used for side panels (see, for example, sidepanels 104, 106 of FIG. 1). The dotted lines in FIGS. 3A and 313indicate possible positions of one or more shelves or a bottom panel(see, for example, bottom panel 108 of FIG. 1). The shelf or bottompanel can make contact with the two conductive regions 332, 334 toelectrify the shelf to provide electrical power to an electrical deviceor outlet that is provide on or within the shelf. Alternatively oradditionally, an electrical device or outlet could be attached directlyto two conductive regions 332, 334 of the frame 330 in order to provideelectrical power to that device or outlet.

FIG. 3C illustrates another embodiment of a frame 330 with twoconductive regions 332, 334 and two non-conductive regions 336, 338. Theframe also includes holes 342 extending into the frame for receivingpins of a shelf. FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate two embodiments of a shelf450 with pins 452 that can fit in the holes 342 in the frame 330. Thepins 452 are conductive and, therefore, make electrical contact with theframe 330 when the shelf is positioned in the cabinet with the pins 452in the holes 342.

Also, the frame 330 can have one or more contacts 344, 346 forattachment to a power source, such as wires or a powered cabinet hangeror any other suitable arrangement. In the illustrated embodiment, one ormore contacts 344 are arranged for attachment to a ground and one ormore contacts 346 are insulated from the conductive region 334 andarranged for attachment to a positively charged power source. Forexample, the structure 346 can include a conductive element 345surrounded by a non-conductive insulator 347 (for example, a plasticpiece) that fits into an opening in the conductive region 334. Aninsulated wire 348 can extend from the conductive element to theconductive region 332 where it is attached to provide power to theconductive region 332. As an example, the frame 330 may be made ofhollow aluminum tubing and the wire 348 can pass through a hole in thealuminum tubing of conductive region 334, through the open center regionof the frame and attached to the exterior of the conductive region 332or pass through a hole in the aluminum frame of conductive region 332for attachment to the interior of the frame.

In FIG. 3C, the contacts 344, 346 are placed on the face of the frame330. As an alternative, the structures 344, 346 can be positioned on aside of the frame 330, as illustrated in

FIG. 3D to facilitate attachment to wires or a cabinet hanger that ispositioned behind the back of the cabinet. For example, wires from thewall can be attached to the contacts 344, 346 during cabinetinstallation to electrify the cabinet.

FIG. 5A illustrates another arrangement in which a cabinet hanger 560 isattached to the cabinet and a mount 562. is attached to the wall orother surface. A portion 563 of the mount 562 is grounded and thengrounds the portion 561 of the cabinet hanger 560, An insulated strip564 on the mount 562 is positively charged from a power source and makesphysical and electrical contact with a corresponding insulated strip 565on the cabinet hanger 560. The insulated strip 565 is in turn attachedto a wire (such as wire 348 of FIG. 3C) that is attached to theconductive region 332 (FIG. 3C).

An alternative arrangement of a cabinet hanger 560 and mount 562 isillustrated in FIG. 5B. The portion 563 of the mount is grounded andwill then ground the portion 561 of the cabinet hanger 560. Theinsulated strip 564 on the mount is positively charged and makesphysical and electrical contact with a conductive element 566 that issurrounded by an insulator 567 and attached to a wire (such as wire 348of FIG. 3C) to electrify the conductive region 332 (FIG. 3C).

The mounts 562 of FIGS. 5A and 5B can be securely mounted to wall studsor other supports and provide a mechanism for electrifying a cabinetwithout attaching wires to the cabinet during cabinet installation. Inat least some embodiments, the mounts 562 of FIGS. 5A and 5B can be arail that extends along the wall and allows attachment, andelectrification, of multiple cabinets using the same rail mount system.A cap or other device may be inserted into or over unused or exposedportions of the rail to insulate the strip 564 from inadvertent contactor shorting.

Returning to FIGS. 4A and 4B, the shelf 450 has conductive pins 452, asdescribed above, that are arranged to make contact with the conductiveregions 332, 334 of the frame 330 (FIGS. 3A-3C). In at least someembodiments, wires 454 or conductors within or beneath or otherwisearranged around the shelf 450 can extend from the pins to a device 456or outlet 458 a, 458 b to provide power to the device or outlet. in someembodiments, the device or outlet may be directly connected to a pinwithout using a wire or other conductor.

As an alternative, if the shelf is permanent or, for example, the bottomor top panel of the cabinet, fasteners, such as screws, nails, or bolts,can be used to fasten the shelf or panel to the frame 330 with thefastener making the physical and electrical contact between theconductive region on the frame and the wires, device, or outletassociated with the shelf or panel. The following are a few examples ofuses and devices that can be energized using the electrified cabinet. Ashelf 450 may include one or more built-in lights (within, on, under, orotherwise arranged around the shelf) as the device 456 and the lightsmay be arranged to turn on when the cabinet door is opened and turn offwhen the cabinet door is closed (or may utilize a switch inside oroutside of the cabinet to operate the lights). One or more “kick” lightscan be integrated into a bottom shelf or bottom panel of a cabinet. Theshelf 450 or cabinet can include built-in speakers that are poweredthrough the conductive regions 332, 334, of the frame 330. The shelf 450or cabinet can include a projector to, for example, project recipes ontoa countertop surface or a camera to, for example, act as a securitycamera. The projector or camera can be powered through the conductiveregions 332, 334, of the frame 330.

A USB or other charging port 458 a or any other type of port or aconventional female outlet 458 b or any other type of outlet can bebuilt into the shelf 450. Alternatively, the powered device 456 can bean inductive charging device within or beneath the shelf for charging amobile phone or other device.

A sensor to sense moisture or temperature may be integrated into a shelfor cabinet and powered through the conductive regions 332, 334, of theframe 330. This may be useful to, for example, warn of high temperaturesnear a stove or oven or excessive moisture near a sink. A weight orpressure sensor may be integrated into a shelf or cabinet and poweredthrough the conductive regions 332, 334, of the frame 330. This may beuseful to, for example, alert a user to empty a trashcan or to refill apantry or to track recycling.

A motor for opening a door or drawer or extending a shelf or lowering atelevision or other device from an upper cabinet can be integrated intothe cabinet or shelf and powered through the conductive regions 332,334, of the frame 330 For example, a motor may be used to extend a shelfwith a trashcan or with pantry goods upon request. Request may be madeusing a sensor (such as a motion sensor or voice-activated sensor) aremay be made through home automation devices.

An alarm or lock can be integrated into the cabinet and powered throughthe conductive regions 332, 334, of the frame 330 to, for example, senda warning or prevent access to cleaning supplies, other hazardousmaterials, medicines, liquor, or valuables stored in the cabinet. Insome embodiments, these devices may include, or be coupled to a wirelesstransmitter, to send warnings to, or respond to commands from, a mobilephone, smart watch, or other device.

Alternative embodiments also utilize a conductive core. For example, theside panels 104, 106 of cabinet 100 in FIG. 1 have the panel structureillustrated in FIG. 6 with the core 622 having a conductive layer 670(which may be the entire core 622 or one of multiple layers in the core)so that the core is capable of conducting electricity across theentirely of the core or panel (e.g., across the length and breadth ofthe core or panel.) In one embodiment, in operation, one of the sidepanels 104, 106 has a core that is positively charged and the other oneof the side panels has a core that is grounded. It will be understoodthat other combinations of the side panels, top panel, bottom panel, andback panel can be used.

Similar to the arrangement described above with respect to the frame ofFIG. 3C and the shelves of FIGS. 4A and 4B, holes 642. can be madethrough the cover 624 to the conductive layer 670 of the core 622 toreceive pins 452 of a shelf 450 to electrify the shelf. As analternative, if the shelf is permanent or, for example, the bottom ortop panel of the cabinet, fasteners, such as screws, nails, or bolts,can be used to fasten the shelf or panel to the panels 104, 106 with thefastener making the physical and electrical contact between therespective conductive layer of the core of the panels and the wires,device, or outlet associated with the shelf or panel.

FIG. 7 illustrates yet another alternative arrangement in which a core(such as core 222 in FIG. 2) or a cover (such as cover 224 in FIG. 2.)includes a layer 770 having multiple conductive regions 780, 782disposed on a insulative substrate 784 or other insulating layer. Theconductive regions 780, 782 may be made of, for example, conductiveplates, foil, deposited layers, or the like. The conductive regions 780,782 can be made using any suitable manufacturing method including, butnot limited to, lamination and methods used for making circuit boards.

As an example, one of the conductive regions 780 can be positivelycharged and the other conductive region 782 can be grounded. Similar tothe arrangement described above with respect to the frame of FIG. 3C andthe shelves of FIGS. 4A and 4B, holes 742 can be made through the coverto the layer 770 of the core to access the conductive regions 780, 782.The holes 742 can receive pins 452 of a shelf 450 to make physical andelectrical contact between the pins 452 and the conductive regions 780,782 to electrify the shelf. As an alternative, if the shelf is permanentor, for example, the bottom or top panel of the cabinet, fasteners, suchas screws, nails, or bolts, can be used to fasten the shelf or panel tothe core with the fastener making the physical and electrical contactbetween the conductive regions 780, 782 of the layer 770 of the core andthe wires, device, or outlet associated with the shelf or panel.

Wires or contacts from a power source can be coupled to the conductiveregions 780, 782 at sites 786, 788 (which may be contacts or holesthrough the cover) to energize the arrangement. It will be recognizedthat other mechanisms for energizing the conductive regions 780, 782 ofthe core can also be used.

As presented herein, a shelf of a cabinet has been used as one exampleof a structure that can be electrified, but other structures can also beelectrified. For example, a cabinet may have drawers and the drawer or abottom panel or side panel of the drawer (or any other component of thecabinet) may be electrified using the arrangements described above. Forexample, a drawer glide mechanism may be electrified so that touchingthe drawer would actuate a motor in the drawer glide mechanism to openor close the drawer automatically. As another example, a door opening orlifting arrangement can be electrified using the arrangements describedherein. It will be understood that all of the examples presented hereinfor use with a shelf can also be applied to a drawer or other componentof the cabinet.

The above specification, examples, and data provide a completedescription of the manufacture and use of the invention. Since manyembodiments of the invention can be made without departing from thespirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claimshereinafter appended.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent ofthe United States is:
 1. A cabinet, comprising: a plurality of panels,each panel forming one of a side, top, bottom, or back of the cabinet,one or more of the panels comprising: a frame comprising a firstconductive region, a second conductive region, and one or morenon-conductive connectors mechanically coupling the first conductiveregion to the second conductive region while electrically insulating thefirst conductive region from the second conductive region.
 2. Thecabinet of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises one or morefirst holes in the first conductive region and one or more second holesin the second conductive region.
 3. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein theframe further comprises one or more first holes in the first conductiveregion and one or more second holes in the second conductive region, thecabinet further comprising a shelf, the shelf comprising a firstconductive pin configured for insertion in one of the first holes and asecond conductive pin configured for insertion in one of the secondholes.
 4. The cabinet of claim 1, further comprising a shelf and anelectrical device attached to, or disposed within, the shelf, whereinthe shelf is configured to engage the first conductive region and thesecond conductive region of one of the panels to provide electricalpower to the electrical device when the first and second conductiveregions of the one of the panels are electrically coupled to anelectrical power source.
 5. The cabinet of claim 1, further comprising ashelf and an electrical outlet or port attached to, or disposed within,the shelf, wherein the shelf is configured to engage the firstconductive region and the second conductive region of one of the panelsto provide electrical power to the electrical outlet or port when thefirst and second conductive regions of the one of the panels areelectrically coupled to an electrical power source.
 6. The cabinet ofclaim 1, wherein the frame further comprises a first contact and asecond contact disposed on the frame, wherein the first contact is inelectrical communication with the first conductive region and the secondcontact is in electrical communication with the second conductiveregion, wherein the first and second contacts are configured forattachment of conductors from an external electrical power source. 7.The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the frame further comprises a firstcontact disposed adjacent to, but insulated from, the second conductiveregion and a wire electrically coupling the first contact and the firstconductive region, wherein the first contact is configured forattachment of a conductor from an external electrical power source. 8.The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the panels comprisesa first side panel, wherein the panels further comprise a bottom paneland the cabinet further comprises an electrical device attached to, ordisposed within, the bottom panel, wherein the bottom panel isconfigured to engage the first conductive region and the secondconductive region of the side panel to provide electrical power to theelectrical device when the first and second conductive regions of theside panel are electrically coupled to an electrical power source. 9.The cabinet of claim I, wherein the one or more of the panels furthercomprises a cover disposed over at least one surface of the frame. 10.The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the one or more of the panels furthercomprises a cover disposed over a plurality of surfaces of the frame.11. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the first conductive region definesat least one edge of the frame and the second conductive region definesat least one edge of the frame.
 12. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein thefirst conductive region and the second conductive region are formed ofhollow metal tubing.
 13. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the firstconductive region and the second conductive region are formed ofaluminum.